Earl Slick

Known for his collaboration with David Bowie, American guitarist Earl Slick has also accompanied John Lennon and many other artists on studio sessions and concerts. Real name Frank Madeloni, born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 1, 1952, he got his start with local band Mack Truck, before being hired at the age of twenty-two by David Bowie to replace Mick Ronson after the dissolution of his band The Spiders from Mars. In addition to touring, Slick took part in the albums Diamond Dogs (1974), Young Americans (1975) and Station to Station (1976), then accompanied Mott the Hoople and John Lennon on his final album Double Fantasy (1980). Meanwhile, he formed his own group, The Earl Slick Band, which recorded the albums Razor Sharp and Slick Band (1976). Back with Bowie in 1983, the guitarist was also part of The Box of Frogs (1984-1986) and the trio Phantom, Rocker & Slick with ex-Stray Cats Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker (1985-1986). After working with Michael Kamen on film soundtracks and recording the album In Your Face (1991), David Bowie called him back for the albums Heathen (2002) and Reality (2003). Slick resumed his solo career with Slick Trax (2002) and Zig Zag (2003). Between 2011 and 2014, he joined the New York Dolls, then took part in Bowie's penultimate album, The Next Day (2013). Appreciated for his cutting-edge style, he has also played with The Cure, Jacques Dutronc and David Coverdale. In 2021, he returned with the album Fist Full of Devils, before releasing in 2024 an alternative version of his song "Isn't It Everything", to which his former employer lent his voice.

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